Each year in the United States, over 600,000 people die from heart disease. But today we are talking about how preventative care can protect you from becoming just another statistic! Dr. Tania Elliott, medical director of “Doctor on Demand,” joins The Doctors to discuss the one test that just might help you live longer.

Dr. Tania says the one thing everyone needs to do to reduce their risk of heart disease is...blood work! It's very important to get regular screening, especially if you have a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol.

Why should you find out if you have the genetic disorder "familial hypercholesterolemia" or FH?

1 in 250 people has FH - that's 1.3 million people in the United States.

90% of people with FH are undiagnosed.

If one parent has FH, each child has a 50% chance of inheriting it.

Men with untreated FH have a 50% risk of having a heart attack by age 50.

Untreated women have a 30% risk by age 60.

Dr. Elliott also wants to remind everyone that if you can't make it to the office, you can use apps like "Doctor on Demand" to get help to manage cholesterol and even get blood work ordered! Plus, with the app, a doctor can help you go into your kitchen and throw out things that aren't good for you.

Doctor on Demand was created by The Doctors' executive producer.

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